A police officer is under arrest after allegedly shooting dead his girlfriend and another man at a local pub in Eldoret, in what authorities suspect was a deadly fallout from a love triangle.
The officer, attached to Tembelio Police Post in Ainabkoi, Uasin Gishu County, is accused of opening fire inside Kokwet Bar, a small drinking joint in the Jua Kali area of Turbo. The shooting happened just past midnight on Thursday.
Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi confirmed the arrest. Speaking to the press on Friday morning, he said, “The officer confronted the woman over suspicions she was cheating. When the man tried to calm things down, the officer drew his gun and shot them both.”
Both victims died on the spot. Police say the weapon used in the shooting was the officer’s official service firearm.
The female victim was reportedly the owner of the bar. Locals told reporters the establishment had been running for several months and was a popular stop among workers in the industrial area nearby.
Fellow officers from a nearby station rushed to the scene after gunshots were reported. The suspect was arrested without resistance and disarmed on site. He is now in custody at a police station in Eldoret.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination.
Police have launched an investigation to establish the full circumstances of the shooting.
Commander Mwanthi added, “This is a tragic case. We urge members of the force and the public to resolve disputes peacefully and seek help when overwhelmed by emotions.”
No formal charges have been filed yet, but detectives are expected to forward the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the coming days.
This case has already sparked concern over mental health among officers and the use of state-issued firearms in personal matters. Rights groups have long called for better support systems within the police service to help manage emotional distress and workplace pressure.
